Prior to joining Ireland Stapleton, Mr. Buescher served as Deputy Attorney General for the State of Colorado, in charge of the State Services Section. In that position, he had responsibility for the individual Units which represented State Elected Officials, the Public Utilities Commission and the Departments of Human Services, Health Care Policy and Financing, and Personnel and Administration.

In January of 2009, Mr. Buescher was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Bill Ritter. During his two years in office, he substantially reduced expenses in the office, improved customer service and expanded ballot access. The results of his efforts made it possible for the Department of State to return over three million dollars of unspent funds to the State Treasury.

Mr. Buescher was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2004 and was immediately appointed to the Joint Budget Committee, where he worked on behalf of Colorado to find innovative bipartisan solutions to the difficult issues facing Colorado. In the legislature, Mr. Buescher helped craft four budgets that restored many of the cuts that were made during the economic downturn following Sept. 11. Key legislative accomplishments include working on SB 235 to protect PERA, legislation promoting Colorado’s wineries, and legislation promoting the use of renewable energy for Colorado. In 2007, Bernie was the principal house sponsor of 51 separate bills, 49 of which were ultimately signed by Governor Ritter.

Prior to his election, Mr. Buescher served as Chair of the St. Mary’s Hospital Board. Previously, he was responsible for implementing the Children’s Basic Health Plan while working as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Finance. For nearly ten years, he served as President of West Star Aviation, where he grew the company from 28 employees to 220 employees. He also served terms on the Colorado Transportation Commission and the Colorado Economic Development Council.

Mr. Buescher is a fourth generation Coloradoan who has lived in Mesa County all of his life. He is married to Mary Beth Buescher and they have four adult children, Michael, Elizabeth, Marcia and Susan and five grandchildren.